Charge distribution in the water molecule--a comparison of methods

The charge distribution in the water molecule has been analyzed using a broad variety of basis sets, four different quantum mechanical methods (Hartree-Fock, Becke3LYP, MP2, and QCISD), and six population analysis methods (Mulliken, NPA, AIM, CHELPG, Merz-Kollman, and Resp). The influence of the molecular structure on the calculated atomic charges has been studied using small perturbations of the experimentally determined structure.